New Chinese nuclear grid connection

26 November 2013

(Image: CGN)

Hongyanhe 2 has been connected to the Chinese electricity grid, the 18th large reactor supplying power to the country.

The unit is a CPR-1000 pressurized water reactor, on which construction was started in 2008. The first unit at the site has been operating on a commercial basis since June and now unit 2 is set to follow in a matter of months. Two more units are under construction and expected to start up next year. Beyond these the site could also feature two further units although the technology for these has not been announced.

Hongyanhe 2 was successfully synchronised to the grid at 9.43am on 23 November.

The site in northern Liaoning province incorporates a seawater desalination plant producing 10,080 cubic metres of potable water per day. It is about 420 kilometres from Beijing across the Bo Hai Sea.

The owner and operator of the plant is Liaoning Hongyanhe Nuclear Power Co, a joint venture of China General Nuclear and China Power Investment Corp (45% each) and Dalian Construction Investment Group. The cost of all four units was put at CNY50 billion ($8.2 billion).